Primary includes ballot issue

May 6, 2014

COLUMBUS - A number of incumbent Republican lawmakers in Ohio face challengers in today's primary as they try to keep their seats this fall in the Statehouse and the U.S. Capitol.

Five GOP incumbents in the state Senate have challengers, though no Democratic incumbents do. Democrats have 13 contested primary races for seats in the Ohio House, while majority Republicans have almost twice as many.

In the race for Ohio governor, the Democratic leader of the state's most populous county was looking past a little-known Dayton-area activist to take on Gov. John Kasich in November. Most observers believe Larry Ellis Ealy, of Trotwood, has little chance against Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, the Democrats' endorsed candidate.

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ELECTION DAY — William Harvey of Steubenville cast a ballot at Froehlich’s Classic Corner in today’s primary election. Polls will remain open until 7:30 p.m. Voters will make decisions in contested party races for Jefferson County common pleas judge and auditor, as well as school levies in the Edison Local and Jefferson County Joint Vocational school districts. There also is a levy for senior services. There are electric aggregation issues for Tiltonsville, Yorkville and Cross Creek Township, as well as levies for fire and emergency medical services in Wintersville and police protection in Wells Township. No independent candidates filed at the county board of elections as of the deadline on Monday. --- Mark Law

Voters also will pick which U.S. House candidates will run in this fall; all 16 incumbents are seeking re-election.

In northeastern Ohio, Republican Rep. David Joyce has a primary challenge from state Rep. Matt Lynch, a tea party candidate who has the backing of Ohio Right to Life and FreedomWorks for America. Joyce has sought to prove his conservative credentials by stressing his votes to "repeal, replace or delay" the federal health care law "at every opportunity."

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner of West Chester is expected to win his bid for a 13th term in southwestern Ohio, despite some unhappiness among GOP voters about the federal deficit and immigration. The Republican faces two tea party opponents, high school teacher J.D. Winteregg and businessman Eric Gurr in the Eighth District.

State Rep. Peter Beck, who faces felony charges, is among the 15 Republican incumbents in the Ohio House trying to defend seats.

Beck, of Mason, is accused of misleading investors about a company's financial status and using their money for personal gain. He has denied the allegations.

Beck has two challengers for his southwest Ohio district: Mary Jo Kubicki, who is treasurer to state Rep. Ron Maag's campaign, and Paul Zeltwanger, who owns a real estate development company.

One GOP incumbent's wife is running as a write-in candidate for his Ohio House seat after a paperwork error forced him off the ballot.

State Rep. Rex Damschroder, of Fremont, says his wife, Rhonda, will act as a placeholder for him. Should his wife win, Damschroder has said she would leave the contest so he could be appointed to be on the November ballot as the GOP candidate. Tiffin businessman William Reineke and Richard Geyer, a Ballville Township trustee, are also seeking the nomination as write-ins.

Democratic Reps. John Barnes and Bill Patmon, of Cleveland, have taken heat in their primaries for breaking with their party on certain votes. The state Democratic Party has endorsed their challengers.

Open Democratic seats in the GOP-dominated state Senate have attracted multiple hopefuls, including one six-way race for term-limited Cincinnati Sen. Eric Kearney's seat. State Reps. Dale Mallory, of Cincinnati, is among those seeking nominations.

The election will determine the outcome of one statewide ballot issue, along with about 600 local issues.

Voters will choose whether to renew a public works program that funds repairs and upgrades to roads, bridges and other local infrastructure. The ballot issue would allow the state to borrow $1.875 billion over 10 years through the issuance of general obligation bonds.